Author: Crix

Memoira releases new EP “Dollmaker” – featuring an epic interpretation of a Queen classic

Symphonic metal band Memoira has released a new four-song EP, Dollmaker. The release brings together the band’s recent single releases and a new version of Queen’s iconic song The Show Must Go On.

The idea of a Queen cover has been in the band’s mind for several years. The themes and atmosphere of the song were felt to be a natural part of Memoira’s own musical and lyrical world.

– “The idea of doing a version of the song came about back in 2022, and I’ve probably had it in my mind for even longer. It’s a bit crazy, because the song is so beloved, so this version will definitely stir up emotions. The song is very important to us, and we feel it has a lot of similarities to our music and lyrical

themes,” says the band’s keyboardist Lassi Nuolivaara.

The Dollmaker EP brings together Memoira’s recent releases into a cohesive whole. The band released a music video for the EP’s title track, Dollmaker, on January 15, which featured the song in its entirety for the first time. The single edit of the song was released late last year.

Listen to the EP on music services (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, YouTube Music etc.): https://push.fm/fl/memoira-dollmaker

Dollmaker – EP

1. Dollmaker

2. Cryonic Heart

3. Emerald Eyes

4. The Show Must Go On

Memoira is known for its combination of symphonic metal and strong melodies, where a modern metal sound meets a cinematic and emotional expression. Dollmaker continues the band’s line, offering both familiar and new tones to the band’s sound.

Memoira is a symphonic metal band from Finland formed in 2007. Known for it’s big atmospheric and epic sound, Memoira combines dynamic melodic metal and symphonic ethereal orchestrations into one, consistent flow of storytelling.

On it’s 15- year journey before the latest line-up changes, the band has released three albums and seven singles worldwide.

With the current lineup, which has been active since 2023, and Krista Astrid Schröter as their vocalist, the band has already released three singles (Cryonic Heart 2024, Emerald Eyes 2024 and Dollmaker 2025), each of which has brought the band more listeners and streams. The renewed lineup has also brought a whole new energy to the band’s stage performance and image, which has already been noticed among fans.

MEMOIRA LINE-UP

Krista Astrid Schröter – Vocals

Lassi Nuolivaara – Keyboards & Piano

Serdar Ilter – Guitars

Niko Laaksonen – Bass

Kimmo Puhakka – Drums

https://www.memoiraofficial.com/

https://www.facebook.com/MemoiraOfficial

https://www.instagram.com/memoira_official

https://www.youtube.com/@MemoiraOfficial

https://www.tiktok.com/@memoiraofficial

The final single from the Rain Diary’s upcoming LP will light emotions on fire

Rain Diary’s upcoming LP’s (Night Church, release date: 27.3.) final single – Fire – will make listeners grieve. The song represents the softer side of this electronic rock band’s longing sound and has always been one of crowd’s favorite pieces in their live shows.

Listen to the single on music services (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, tidal etc.): https://push.fm/fl/raindiary-fire

Here’s concert footage from Huxleys Neue Welt Berlin that was filmed in the spring of 2022 when Rain Diary supported Lord of The Lost in their Ensemble Tour.

https://youtu.be/i2WAhfvTa-k

… cause all the things we lose in the fire.

Rain Diary is a Finnish rock band that plays beautiful and twisted dark wave tunes. The band bears its roots in Finnish melancholy, the scenery of evergreen forests, nightless nights and snow-covered wilderness, though the band constantly breaks this easily labelled HIM/Nightwish-stereotype by breathing in something new. Rain Diary injects urban feel with the drumming electronics and clever pop elements making the band a must-see for the fans of Depeche Mode, Placebo and alike. Rain Diary’s music genre has been labelled as winterwave.

Rain Diary are:

Joonas Verho – vocals

Tytti Toppari-Pellikainen – keyboards. vocals

Teemu Rantanen – guitar

Joni Bitter – bass, guitar, programming

Lauri Kujasalo – drums

Live shows:

PE 27.3. Bar Loose (Helsinki, FIN)*

LA 28.3. Nirvana (Turku, FIN)*

LA 4.4. Maanalainen (Tampere, FIN)**

* With Hateful Chains, Hauntees, Black Totem

** With Hateful Chains, Black Totem +tba

https://raindiary.com/

https://www.facebook.com/RainDiary

https://www.instagram.com/raindiarygram

https://www.tiktok.com/@raindiaryofficial

https://raindiary.bandcamp.com/

A song about the deepest depths of despair – Finnish extreme metal band Saasta releases second single from the upcoming album

Finnish extreme metal band Saasta has released the second single “The Envy” from their upcoming album “Cesspool” to be released on May 8th 2026.

In every person’s life there are moments when death’s cold call feels more comforting than the pain of continuing to live. Sometimes the only thing standing in the way of that final passage is cowardice.

The Envy is a merciless depiction of the weakest moments in an individual’s life. In those moments, existence feels like nothing more than the maintenance and feeding of a personal, earthly hell. A person sinks into the deepest depths of despair, where hope does not appear as light, but hangs by fragile, fraying threads, always on the verge of breaking.

The Envy expressed in the song is not directed at material possessions or worldly achievements, but at death itself — at total peace and the absence of pain. It is a mindset in which even worms seem freer and more human than a breathing, suffering person.

The purpose of The Envy is not to romanticize self-destruction, but to strip it of all glamour and false shine. It is ugly, desolate, and raw. In its world, holiness smells of rot.

Musically, The Envy is both fresh and distinctly original Saasta. Painfully heavy and stripped-down death metal meets black metal riffs that twist familiar icons into distorted forms. The Finnish lyrics add their own harsh character to the song, reinforcing its message in a way that is both beautiful and unsettling.

Watch the music video (content warning): https://youtu.be/0yF5UrgcnjE

Listen to the single on music services (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, tidal etc.): https://push.fm/fl/saasta-theenvy

Saasta is an extreme metal band from Kotka, Finland. Formed in 2020 the band combines the mercilessness of black and death metal, with the more subtle nuances of doom. The combination is dark and groovy metal with its own distinctive sound, where strong lyrical expression meets raw energy. Saasta is known for their intense stage presence and uncompromising effort.

Vocals – Leevi Kärsämä
Guitar – Topias Jokipii
Bass Guitar – Janne Hietanen
Drums – Jimi Lahtinen

https://www.saastaofficial.com/

https://www.facebook.com/saastaofficial

https://www.instagram.com/saastaofficial

https://saasta.bandcamp.com/

The Finnish symphonic melodic death metal band Inthraced have released one of the most epic tracks, ‘The Way of the Voice’, from their upcoming debut album

The Finnish symphonic melodic death metal band Inthraced are set to release their long-awaited debut album ‘Constellation Zero’ on May 15th 2026 via Inverse Records. 

The band released one of their most epic tracks, ‘The Way of the Voice’, and it is available on all major streaming platforms: https://push.fm/fl/inthraced-the-way

The band comments:
“One of the most epic tracks on the album. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is strongly present in this one. This was the final song completed for the album, finished just before the recording sessions began.“

Inthraced is a Finnish metal band founded in 2011, blending melodic intensity with cosmic darkness to forge a distinct and powerful soundscape. Their early releases, “The New Awakening” (2012) and “The Rising Chaos” (2014), set the foundation for their rise, further amplified by the 2019 single “Interstellar.”

In 2022, the band was reborn with a new guitarist and bassist, igniting the creative fire behind their debut album “Constellation Zero” — an epic and ambitious journey that carries the listener to the very edges of the universe.

LISTEN to the first single ‘Neon Frontiers’: https://push.fm/fl/inthraced-neon-frontiers
LISTEN to the second single ‘The Black Star’: https://push.fm/fl/inthraced-black-star

Line-up:
Tommi Takkunen – Guitar & Vocals
Mirko Byman – Guitar
Eetu Kovapohja – Bass
Antti Ikonen – Drums

https://www.facebook.com/Inthraced
https://www.instagram.com/inthracedofficial
https://inthraced.bandcamp.com

The new single Eternal Equation by Finnish progressive metal band Sum of Seven portrays a moment of consciousness where struggle ceases and understanding begins

Finnish progressive metal band Sum of Seven are set to release their new concept album, Echoes of the Hypermind, on 15 May 2026 via Inverse Records. The second single and music video, ‘Eternal Equation’  is unleashed now and it’s available on streaming services: https://push.fm/fl/sumofseven-eternal

“Eternal Equation represents a significant turning point in the narrative of our concept album. Musically, it is the album’s most unconventional track, yet at the same time one of its strongest in terms of atmosphere. Marko’s vocal performance and Harri’s guitar solos form the emotional core of the song and represent the peak of their expressive range. The track dives deep into melancholic depths, from which an unexpected realization ultimately emerges.

In the story, the transition toward the final act has begun, but the destination has not yet been reached. Eternal Equation portrays a moment of consciousness where struggle ceases and understanding begins. It is a story of a mind that has witnessed eras repeat, mistakes return, and purpose erode—until all that remains is a question at the core of existence.“, tells Ari Lempinen

LISTEN to the first single ‘Supreme’: https://push.fm/fl/sumofseven-supreme

Line-up:
Ari Lempinen – Guitar, vocals & backing vocals
Harri Annala – Guitar
Rasmus Raassina – Drums
Miika Erkkilä – Basso, backing vocals
Esa Lempinen – Keyboards, backing vocals
Marko Loukamaa – Vocals

https://www.sumofsevenofficial.com
https://www.facebook.com/sumofsevenofficial
https://www.instagram.com/sumofsevenofficial
https://www.youtube.com/@SumofSevenOfficial
https://sumofsevenofficial.bandcamp.com

Quebec City Death Metal SANAGA Unleashes Debut Single “The Godslayer’s Oath”; Mixed and Mastered by KATAKLYSM’s Jeff Dagenais

Rising death metal force Sanaga has officially released their debut single, “The Godslayer’s Oath” (mixed and mastered by Jeff Dagenais of Kataklysm), marking the band’s first step onto the Canadian metal scene. Formed in the fall of 2026, Sanaga brings together long‑time friends and seasoned musicians with a shared passion for creating fast, melodic, aggressive, and evocative metal inspired by Death, Slayer, Amon Amarth, and Dark Tranquillity.

“The Godslayer’s Oath” was the natural choice for Sanaga’s debut. As the first song the band fully rehearsed together, it quickly became their most polished and complete track. Musically, it showcases the full spectrum of Sanaga’s sound, death metal fused with thrash energy and sharpened by touches of black metal.
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Lyrically, the single introduces listeners to the band’s myth‑driven universe. The song tells the story of a void‑born entity created for one purpose: to slay gods and destroy their realms. Whether interpreted as an anti‑religious statement or simply a brutal fantasy narrative, the track sets the tone for Sanaga’s bold, storytelling‑focused approach.
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Though new as a unit, Sanaga’s members are no strangers to the Quebec metal scene. They are active in projects such as Meet The Mailman, Foxy Queen, Devil’s Trill, and Warriors of the North. Their combined experience fuels a tight, high‑energy sound and a no‑nonsense approach to songwriting.
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Guitarist Patrick Plourde drafts full song structures, vocalist Marc Verreault crafts the lyrics, and every member reshapes the material with their own style, resulting in songs that are cohesive, energetic, and unmistakably theirs.
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The single’s artwork reflects the band’s name, inspired by the Sanaga River in Cameroon, a symbol of life, death, and myth. The dark, foreboding landscape and towering god‑slaying figure visually echo the themes explored in the music.
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Sanaga is currently preparing for their first live performances, scheduled for this spring. After their live debut, the band will return to the studio to record their second release.
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With a defined sound and a clear creative vision, Sanaga is poised to make a strong impact on the death metal landscape.

Listen to “The Godslayer’s Oath” at the following links:

Add to your Spotify playlist – https://open.spotify.com/track/1rzjY98YzjOizn5gLwmpxO​

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xU9Vmcpj_Q​

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More info:

​https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585662054767​

​https://www.instagram.com/sanaga666/​

Cherie Currie Teams With Rising Star Essex For Explosive New Single “When You’re Young”

Fresh from her no-holds-barred contributions to last year’s Yacht Metal collection – a breathtaking cover of Walter Egan’s “Magnet and Steel,” Runaways legend Cherie Currie is back with both a dynamic new single, and a cross-generational collaboration that cross-pollinates the legacy of classic new wave with a confrontational take on contemporary modern-rock edge.  

A glorious slab of early eighties UK new wave, originally recorded by Victims of Pleasure, “When You’e Young” also features – and for many listeners, introduces – special guest Essex, the singularly-named superstar-in-waiting poised to land at the precise intersection of Duran Duran’s sleek pulse, Billy Idol’s swagger, and Joy Division’s shadow.
 
It’s a potent combination. Hailing from Chicago, IL, Essex is a dynamic rock’n;’roll singer, dedicated to reviving the raw, unapologetic spirit of rock for the masses. Drawing inspiration from icons like Idol,  Marc Bolan, David Bowie, and James Brown, his sound draws from a time when guitars and synths hit hard, songs were built to last, and authenticity mattered more than trends, or being flashy and glammy.
Essex’s swagger blends exquisitely with Currie’s mystique and majesty, and Die Krupps mainman Jurgen Engler‘s electrifying production to creates a bold, uncompromising sound custom built for today’s alternative landscape.
Cherie says, “I have recorded with Cleopatra Records for over 27 years so when I was approached to sing ‘When You’re Young,’ I thought it was business as usual until Brian, the president decided this was to be a duet with a new, up and coming talent named Essex.
“When we met for the music video I was completely convinced of his talent. Billy Idol would be proud with this man’s presence. By the time the shoot was finished, I was in love! What a talented, and beautiful human being. After 50 years in this crazy biz it’s a breath of fresh air to find such a grateful and gracious man. He gives me hope for this nutty music business.”
Essex adds, “it was an unbelievable honour to work with somebody that has inspired me since I was a kid. Working with her was insanely easy. we got along just naturally.”
Exciting, too, is the news that Essex himself is currently at work on both an upcoming single and, later in the year, his full length debut album, its dark-edged fulled guitars and synths, commanding melodies, and sharp, aggressive bite channeling the raw electricity of the MTV-era ’80s at their peak , even as they charge forward with modern grit and venomous danger. This is music built on volume, emotion, and conviction, hooks you can shout, grooves you can feel, and a presence that refuses to be ignored.
Learn more about Essex in a brand new Pirate Radio Cleopatra podcast – Introducing Essex – available on Mixcloud, YouTube and your favorite podcast platform.
And, as you will discover, “When You’re Young” is the ideal introduction to Essex, and a welcome return for Currie, a supercharged collision of eras, attitude, and influence, as momentous as it is memorable, and as unique as the talents that voice it.  Or, as Essex puts it, “I think the song is very brilliant. It applies to everything right now, just by looking back to good times, when people were young and having fun.”

HEAVENFALL Unveils First Single “Squall-led” From Upcoming Album “Thorn” Out May 2026

Heavenfall unveil “Squall-led”, the first single taken from their forthcoming full-length album “Thorn“, set for release on May 15th, 2026 via Rockshots Records.

Founded in 2003 by four teenage friends driven by an urgent need for self-expression, Heavenfall has steadily forged a distinctive identity rooted in classic heavy metal and sharpened by darker, more aggressive inflections. From their debut “Falling From Heaven” to the EP “The Besiders“, the band has progressively refined a language where power and introspection coexist, translating personal struggle into a cohesive artistic vision.

“Squall-led” emerges as a dynamic and tightly structured opener: fast, melodic, and immediately gripping, yet shaped by brooding undertones and reflective passages that reveal the band’s darker, more introspective core. Guided by Dest’s expressive vocal performance and the guitar vision of Pave, the two longstanding pillars of Heavenfall’s identity, the track encapsulates the band’s evolution with clarity, intensity, and emotional weight.

As the band explains, “‘Squall-led’ is the perfect opener for the album: fast and melodic, yet marked by darker and introspective moments. The lyrics encourage learning from mistakes and hard times and from the clarity they may bring – even if it is never easy to read the signs a storm leaves behind.”

Watch the official lyric video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGYWX5blAUQ​
​Digital: https://lnk.to/z88UKP​

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Heavenfall’s musical DNA draws from classic heavy and thrash metal foundations while embracing the emotional depth and shadowed atmospheres of bands such as Nevermore, Iced Earth, and Savatage. The band describes its sound as “heavy, introspective, melancholic, personal and poetic”, a definition that finds its most mature expression in “Thorn“.

Produced by Heavenfall with drums recorded by Maurizio Cardullo at Crono Sound Factory and mixed and mastered by Davide Tavecchia at Twilight Studio, the single benefits from a powerful, detailed production that enhances both its aggressive drive and its melodic depth. The album artwork, created by Aaron Bonogofsky, visually reinforces the emotional and conceptual framework of the record.

“Thorn” is conceived as a complex and cathartic journey, an introspective exploration through melancholic melodies, designed to take the audience on a profound emotional path. Heavier, more melodic, and more intricate than the band’s previous works, the album delves into the fragile and unspoken layers of human experience.

With “Squall-led”, Heavenfall open the first chapter of a record that does not merely revisit their roots but deepens them – transforming inner conflict into a resonant and compelling contemporary heavy metal statement.

For fans of: Nevermore, Iced Earth, Savatage
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New album “Thorn” out May 15th, 2026

PRE ORDER “Thorn”: https://rockshots.eu/products/heavenfall-thorn-cd​

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Track Listing:​
1. Squall-led – 3:37
2. Sudden Zenith – 4:04
3. No Candlelight – 4:13
4. This Illusion – 3:51
5. Left Apart – 4:23
6. Lingering Under The Acid Rain – 4:43
7. Midwinter In July – 4:45
8. Ora Pro Nemine – 4:53
9. Midnightingale – 5:41
10. The Wind Chimes Garden – 4:55
11. Stramonium – 8:10
Album Length: 53:15
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​Album Line-up​
Dest: Vocals
Pave: Guitars
Giò: Guitars
Nick: Bass
Panta: Drums
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Current Lineup:​
Dest: Vocals
Pave: Guitars
Simo: Guitars
Stefano: Bass
Marco: Drums

Heavenfall was formed in 2003 by four teenage friends united by a shared urgency to express themselves through heavy music. What started as a raw and instinctive project, built with limited means but strong determination, gradually evolved into a defined artistic identity rooted in classic heavy and thrash metal, enriched by darker and more introspective elements. From the outset, the band focused on developing a personal sound rather than adhering strictly to genre conventions.

Following years of rehearsals, songwriting, and live activity, Heavenfall released their debut full-length “Falling From Heaven” in 2012, receiving positive feedback from both audiences and specialized press. The 2017 EP “The Besiders” confirmed the band’s steady growth, highlighting a more mature compositional approach and a stronger inclination toward introspective and emotionally layered songwriting.

A consistent live presence has played a key role in the band’s development. Heavenfall is known for delivering intense and engaging performances, built on direct interaction with the audience. Over the years, they have shared the stage with established acts such as Q5, Domine, Elvenking, and Crying Steel, strengthening their position within the European heavy metal circuit.

In 2026, the band will release their new full-length album “Thorn” via Rockshots Records, marking a further step in their artistic evolution. The record reflects a natural progression toward a heavier, more introspective and structurally refined sound, consistent with the trajectory the band has been shaping since its early years.

Now active for over two decades, Heavenfall stands as a cohesive and experienced act whose path has been defined by continuity, stylistic coherence, and a clear commitment to their own vision of heavy metal.

https://www.rockshots.eu | https://www.instagram.com/heavenfallmetal/ | https://www.facebook.com/Heavenfallmetal/​

Swedish metallers Confess share new video “Metalmorphosis” from upcoming album out May 15th

Sweden’s sleaze/metal stalwarts Confess are excited to share the new single and official visualizer, “Metalmorphosis”, title track of their upcoming fourth studio album, set for release on May 15, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.

The band commented: “The track marks a bold step forward in both sound and attitude. “Metalmorphosis” is something new and refreshingly different, delivering relentless energy, driving riffs, and a powerful sonic punch that refuses to hold back. It’s a statement of evolution.”

 

Pre-Order “Metalmorphosis” HERE

Swedish rockers Confess are finally back with their long awaited fourth record, their most ambitious album to date marking a bold evolution in their sound.

The band described “Metalmorphosis” in the following way: “It’s definitely the ten most well-crafted songs we’ve ever written, both music and lyric wise. It’s fully packed with heavy riffing, big choruses and a whole new level of dynamics. We’ve pushed ourselves harder than ever and it really shows”.

“The album is mixed and mastered by Erik Mårtensson (Eclipse) and he has really taken the band’s sound to a whole new level”, they added.

While staying true to the gritty, hard-hitting energy that has defined the band since their early days in Stockholm, “Metalmorphosis” expands their musical palette with more commercially resonant material, crafting a sound that is both polished and explosively energetic.

Fronted by John Elliot, whose commanding vocals have also been showcased with the legendary Crashdiet, Confess demonstrate a rare balance of raw sleaze-metal grit and melodic sophistication.

On drums, Samuel Samael drives the rhythm with precision and power, while Ludwig Nordlander and Asser Hakala weave dynamic guitar textures that range from shredding riffs to soaring solos. Bassist Lucky anchors the band with a solid low-end punch, rounding out a lineup that is firing on all cylinders.

Since their formation, Confess have earned a reputation for their relentless commitment to the sleaze/metal aesthetic, infusing their work with memorable hooks, arena-ready choruses, and a devil-may-care attitude.

With “Metalmorphosis”, the band take this ethos to a new level, delivering songs that are as catchy as they are ferocious, and as bold as they are accessible. It’s a record that will appeal to longtime fans of the band while opening doors to a wider audience, showcasing Confess at their most confident and inspired yet.

“Metalmorphosis” is not just another entry in the band’s discography – it’s a statement of artistic growth, a powerful celebration of sleaze-metal craftsmanship, and a must-hear for anyone who loves hard-hitting, melodic rock with attitude.

“Metalmorphosis” Tracklist:

1.    Colorvision
2.    The Warriors
3.    Wicked Temptations
4.    Metalmorphosis
5.    Beat Of My Heart
6.    Pursuit Of The Jenny Haniver
7.    The Other Side
8.    Running To My Death
9.    Plague Of Steel
10.    Silvermalen

Line Up:
John Elliot – Vocals
Samuel Samael – Drums
Ludwig Nordlander – Guitars
Asser Hakala – Guitars
Lucky – Bass

Follow CONFESS:
Website
Facebook
Instagram

Melodic metal with a progressive twist – Finnish Mosfite released a single from their upcoming EP

Mosfite, who craft melodic metal with a progressive twist in Kuopio, Finland, releases a five-song EP Homini Lupus Est in March. As a preview, the first song off the EP, Enemy is now out.

The song contains catchy riffage and rhyming while the lyrics talk about the difficulty of negotiation when facing an attack – how to stand firm when retreat and surrender are out of the question.

– My lyrics typically deal with weltschmerz, juxtapositions and problems. Science fiction, war and the consequences of it, generally the endless stupidity of the humankind is often under the microscope in one way or the other. Joyful themes are far and apart in them, as I gather inspiration mainly from dystopic movies and books, the singer-guitarist Antti ”DeeAa” Heikkinen explains.

Watch the music video: https://youtu.be/Tffrnsce0XI

Listen to the single on music services (Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Deezer, YouTube Music etc.): https://push.fm/fl/mosfite-enemy

The musical influences of Mosfite stem from New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, thrash metal and progressive rock and metal. They try to stay away from the modern, overproduced lifelessness, aiming to sound honest and big, yet dynamic and alive.

Mosfite was established in 2021. The debut album Mosfite released in 2022.

Line-Up:
Antti Heikkinen: vocals and guitar

Petri Hietikko: guitars and backing vocals

Jukka Latikka: bass

Sami Ulvi: drums

Recorded by: Antti Heikkinen

Mixed by: Juho Hämäläinen

Mastered by: Antti Heikkinen

Discography:

Si Vis Pacem (single, 2024)

Open Wide (single, 2023)

She’s a Machine (single, 2023)

Mosfite (album, Aug. 2022)

Garden (single, 2022)

https://www.facebook.com/mosfite

https://www.instagram.com/mosfiteofficial/